Shrek Creator Katzenberg Honored as a Philanthropist and Humanitarian

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dreamworks Animation and philanthropist, is probably best known throughout America for his animation efforts such as Shrek and Madgascar, but his charitable and humanitarian acts are well known by others – including Steven Spielberg.  In fact, Katzenberg just received the 2010 Humanity Award from the USC Shoah Foundation Institute created by the popular director.

Katzenberg Is a Philanthropist Because “Ever Again”, Good People Do What is Right

As Katzenberg accepted his Shoah humanity award, he stated that the Foundation’s documented testimonies of 52,000 survivors and witnesses to the holocaust meant more than “never again”, but “Ever again good people do what is right and the world inches forward. Ever again we see it around us today in soup kitchens, the Haiti relief effort, and the fight against AIDS.”  A staunch philanthropist, Mr. Katzenberg often puts this philosophy of giving to charity into action.

In 1993, Katzenberg became the Chairman of the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF); founded by Mary Pickford in 1921 after she gave a struggling couple $40.  MPTF is now a broad service organization that provides residential options to entertainment retirees, providing them – and others in the industry – with health care, child care and other social and charitable services.  MPTF has grown to an annual budget of $100 million. Beginning in 2003, each year, Katzenberg hosts two philanthropist fundraisers in conjunction with the Emmys; the Evening Before Party and the Night Before Party.  Proceeds from the events benefit MPTF; over $30 million has been raised.

To further his philanthropist efforts, Katzenberg also devotes significant time and resources to the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Foundation.  The Foundation recently made a bequest of $1.25 million to Boston University’s College of General Studies to improve services at their Communications Center.

How You Can Be a Philanthropist

Microgiving.com thanks Mr. Katzenberg for his acts of charity and humanitarism.  Like Jeffrey, Microgiving works to do “what is right” and helps people in need.  If you would like to work with Microgiving as a donor to take part in philanthropist efforts – or may need help as a recipient – please continue to explore our website.